Whereas, since 1990, scientists around the world have conducted a wide range of studies that have shown that global warming is melting polar ice, raising sea levels and causing droughts and extreme weather events; and
Whereas, the current scientific consensus is that the primary cause of change in global climate during the last century is the human-caused input of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere; and
Whereas, Governor Corzine signed Executive Order 54 on February 13, 2007, establishing greenhouse gas reduction goals of 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050; and
Whereas, one of the most significant environmental impacts to New Jersey attributable at least in part to global warming is sea level rise; and
Whereas, more than 80% of New Jersey's GHGs are from CO2; and
Whereas, New Jersey Sustainability Greenhouse Gas Action Plan identifies actions that can help achieve this goal, including
Whereas, school buildings, vehicles and operations in New Jersey contribute significantly to the emission of GHG, especially CO2, and thus can contribute significantly to the solution of this global problem; and
Whereas, the inclusion within the curriculum of such content as the intellectual debate about the greenhouse effect, the potential consequences of climate change, and possible solutions to this global challenge will support, at minimum, the New Jersey Department of Education's science standards 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.9, 5.10 and 5.12, social studies standards 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9, language arts standards 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5, and workplace readiness standards 2, 3 and 4;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that __________________________________________ commends the issue of climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to its membership for study and action;
Encourages its members to involve their respective schools and school districts in the School Campaign to Do Our Share for GHG Reductions by reducing the school's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 1.5% each year – and preferably by a greater percentage of 2006 energy usage – through 2020; and
Encourages its membership to involve students actively in the analysis of this challenge and the accomplishment of this goal.
Source: New Jersey Sustainability Greenhouse Gas Action
Plan. December 1999.
Available from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, CN 402, Trenton, NJ 08625.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/gcc/gcc-download.htm
Contribute to the Doing Our Share Campaign: send a copy of any passed resolutions to:
New Jersey Sustainable Schools Network, c/o Global Learning, Inc.